Earl stared at her for a few seconds without saying anything. When he finally spoke, he sounded firm and in control, every inch of the self-made millionaire he was. “I will not allow my family to be dragged down. Retta isn’t your shield or your punching bag, and I will do whatever it takes to make sure you understand that.”

“I just want to talk with her.”

His eyes narrowed. “Be very sure which side you’re on before you come inside.”

The words didn’t make a lot of sense. Jessa blamed the emotional whirlwind of the last few days. “I don’t understand.”

“You’re poison right now. Being seen with you could be a problem for her.”

Jessa’s body caved in on itself. Everything inside her shrank, and the few dribbles of self-esteem she’d managed to gather up and hold on to dropped away. “I get that, but—”

“Unless you’re ready to make a change.”

His words broke through her weepy desperation. She clung to the bars of the gate as reality set in. “You know about—”

He nodded. “I support Retta fully in all things.”

Jessa didn’t know what that entailed, but she got that he was offering her a chance not only to come into the house but to pick a different way forward, and she grabbed it. “I’m ready.”

Earl smiled. “Then come in.”

Chapter Thirty-Five
Gabby

Hours later, Gabby sat on the edge of the emergency room bed at Sibley Memorial Hospital. She’d delivered Kennedy here. Breathed through terror and confusion, both of which she experienced now but in a different way. Still wild and out of control but now trembling and gasping at the thought of someone trying to hurt her. Having to deal with Detective Schone didn’t help. The woman showed up everywhere, including here.

Before the detective could get off another question, Liam shoved the curtain aside, rattling the hooks on the rod and pushing his way into the small area. “What the hell happened?”

Through all the emotional upheaval and dragging pain, seeing him still comforted her. She wanted to reach out but was convinced she’d lost that right.

“She says she was attacked at home.”

It was the way the detective said things that made Gabby so defensive. She was pretty sure the digs were a law enforcement tool. Understanding that and liking it were two different things. “‘Says’?”

The detective shrugged. “I believe you this time.”

Gabby didn’t have the energy for this. Dealing with Detective Melissa Schone meant being in top form, and Gabby had nothing left. No energy and very few working brain cells. “Is there another detective I can talk with?”

“You’re stuck with me.”

Liam came closer to the side of the bed but didn’t touch Gabby. “Are you okay?”